The mortal remains of former president Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam have reached Madurai.
It will be flown to Rameswaram from here.
Dr. Kalam passed away in Shillong Monday evening.
He collapsed after suffering a massive cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong yesterday.
The government has declared a seven-day national mourning as a mark of respect for Dr. Kalam, who played a stellar role in advancing India's nuclear programme.
Considered one of the most popular presidents of India, Kalam became the11th head of the state and occupied the post between 2002 and 2007 during the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
